Starting with the H1 500 launched in September 1968, Kawasaki produced a range of unique high performance three cylinder motorcycles. These stylish triples were targeted for the younger consumer with the need for speed and designed for fun. These bikes were intended as the two wheel equivalents of Camaros, Mustangs and Chargers of the era. The 1970’s were truly a special time producing these fantastic sounding, raw adrenaline riding, fix it with a tool kit thats under the seat motorcycles ever made. You will never see days like those again. Poor gas mileage in a time of fuel shortages and high gas prices due to the oil embargo of 1973-74 made little difference to the riders who craved the unique look and sound of the 2-stroke air-cooled triples and they sold like hot cakes! Their demise was only brought on by tightening EPA regulations and noise legislation that hated the noisy, gas guzzling, oil burning polluters. “Let the good times roll” couldn’t have been a more fitting slogan for Kawasaki the 1970’s and they delivered on that statement.
1969 H1 500 Mach III
Frame Number Range: KAF-00001 to KAF-06449 / KAF-06726
Engine Number Range: KAE-00001 to KAE-06314
Color: Midnight White. Blue accents and silver fork ears
Fenders were polished stainless steel
Five speed gearbox with neutral at the bottom, gears were all up N 1 2 3 4 5
The gear change shaft was double ended allowing the owner to choose right or left side gear change, a great option for the European market and those accustomed to riding British bikes
An option of high or low handlebars was offered
The petcock used an automatic diaphragm, a first for Kawasaki
There was no Identification sticker on frame headstock until it became required for imports October 1969
The US version has a CDI box, European version has coils & points. This was due to the CDI causing interference with TV and radio reception. The Capacitor Discharge Ignition was problematic. It was made by Mitsubishi and quality control standards were low in the manufacturing resulting in an inconsistency often resulting in a faulty CDI "just because its new doesn't mean it works"
"Injectolube" automatic oil injection system, DID drive chain
The H1 went on sale in March 1969 and the MSRP was $999
It averaged 24mpg and consumed half a quart of oil ever 100 miles.
It was sold in Japan as the 500SS
Frame Number Range: KAF-00001 to KAF-06449 / KAF-06726
Engine Number Range: KAE-00001 to KAE-06314
Color: Midnight White. Blue accents and silver fork ears
Fenders were polished stainless steel
Five speed gearbox with neutral at the bottom, gears were all up N 1 2 3 4 5
The gear change shaft was double ended allowing the owner to choose right or left side gear change, a great option for the European market and those accustomed to riding British bikes
An option of high or low handlebars was offered
The petcock used an automatic diaphragm, a first for Kawasaki
There was no Identification sticker on frame headstock until it became required for imports October 1969
The US version has a CDI box, European version has coils & points. This was due to the CDI causing interference with TV and radio reception. The Capacitor Discharge Ignition was problematic. It was made by Mitsubishi and quality control standards were low in the manufacturing resulting in an inconsistency often resulting in a faulty CDI "just because its new doesn't mean it works"
"Injectolube" automatic oil injection system, DID drive chain
The H1 went on sale in March 1969 and the MSRP was $999
It averaged 24mpg and consumed half a quart of oil ever 100 miles.
It was sold in Japan as the 500SS
1970 H1 500cc Mach III
Frame Number started at KAF-06450/KAF-06727 to KAF-23625
Engine Number Range: KAE-06315 to KAE-21875
Candy Red or Peacock Grey (kawasaki first listed the color as Metallic Grey)
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
Black fork ears, New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
Trim on the seat was changed to black, the grab rail changed.
Frame Number started at KAF-06450/KAF-06727 to KAF-23625
Engine Number Range: KAE-06315 to KAE-21875
Candy Red or Peacock Grey (kawasaki first listed the color as Metallic Grey)
A few slight changes were made during production but the model was basically unchanged.
Black fork ears, New distributor gasket, oil pump cover has a grommet, slightly larger CDI cover.
Trim on the seat was changed to black, the grab rail changed.
1971 H1A 500cc Mach III
Frame Number Range: KAF-23626 to KAF-48762
Engine Number Range: KAE-21876 to KAE-43901
New gas tank design without the knee indentations
'Kawasaki' and '500' were decals, not painted on. One color Candy Blue
Black fork ears, black chain guard, engine painted silver
Bridges were removed from the intake ports to improve gas flow
New EK heavy duty chain required the chain guard to be moved
CDI box was modified, Shocks and fork internals received improvements
Frame Number Range: KAF-23626 to KAF-48762
Engine Number Range: KAE-21876 to KAE-43901
New gas tank design without the knee indentations
'Kawasaki' and '500' were decals, not painted on. One color Candy Blue
Black fork ears, black chain guard, engine painted silver
Bridges were removed from the intake ports to improve gas flow
New EK heavy duty chain required the chain guard to be moved
CDI box was modified, Shocks and fork internals received improvements
1972 H1B 500cc
Frame Number Range: KAF-48763
Engine Number Range: KAE-54101
Single front disc break
Pearl Candy Orange with the iconic striped graphics designed by MOLLY, painted on, not a decal
Fenders were painted orange
Engine cases were polished and no longer painted silver
Points and coils were used instead of CDI box
Aluminum forks with changed internals
Control cables were black instead of grey
Seat cover now had ribbed sections
Tail light lens was changed
Rear brake panel was now black
Wider turn signal indicators to meet new safety regulations
Speedo/tach, handlebar controls, footrests were changed
A hydraulic steering damper was now added to improve handling
The new damper was recalled to prevent flexing when set at stiffest position, updated with a new bracket
Tapered rear wheel spokes, thicker by .5 mm where they join the rim
welded fastening on the gear lever to prevent it from working loose
The airbox was redesigned, with a new filter and different inlet tracts to the carbs
Compression rose from 6.8:1 to 7:1
Heavier baffled exhausts to improve fuel economy and reduce noise
25 lbs heavier than the H1A
The HIB was overshadowed by the launch of the H2 750 but remained a top seller, despite its slightly diminished performance compared to the previous H1
Frame Number Range: KAF-48763
Engine Number Range: KAE-54101
Single front disc break
Pearl Candy Orange with the iconic striped graphics designed by MOLLY, painted on, not a decal
Fenders were painted orange
Engine cases were polished and no longer painted silver
Points and coils were used instead of CDI box
Aluminum forks with changed internals
Control cables were black instead of grey
Seat cover now had ribbed sections
Tail light lens was changed
Rear brake panel was now black
Wider turn signal indicators to meet new safety regulations
Speedo/tach, handlebar controls, footrests were changed
A hydraulic steering damper was now added to improve handling
The new damper was recalled to prevent flexing when set at stiffest position, updated with a new bracket
Tapered rear wheel spokes, thicker by .5 mm where they join the rim
welded fastening on the gear lever to prevent it from working loose
The airbox was redesigned, with a new filter and different inlet tracts to the carbs
Compression rose from 6.8:1 to 7:1
Heavier baffled exhausts to improve fuel economy and reduce noise
25 lbs heavier than the H1A
The HIB was overshadowed by the launch of the H2 750 but remained a top seller, despite its slightly diminished performance compared to the previous H1
1972 H1C 500cc
Frame Number Range: KAF-48664 to KAF-52100
Engine Number Range: KAE-43902 to KAE-45902
The H1C combined features of both the H1A and H1B. It was a let's get rid of the old unused parts we have in the factory model. Nothing new just a way to get rid of the old.
It used the remaining stock of H1A engines, CDI box, exhaust, front ends (drum break, forks, chrome fenders), yet it had the new year candy orange color. Simply put it was the only way kawasaki could get rid of the dead stock parts it had laying around the factory collecting dust. The production was strictly to exhaust the supply, make them until the parts are gone.
Frame Number Range: KAF-48664 to KAF-52100
Engine Number Range: KAE-43902 to KAE-45902
The H1C combined features of both the H1A and H1B. It was a let's get rid of the old unused parts we have in the factory model. Nothing new just a way to get rid of the old.
It used the remaining stock of H1A engines, CDI box, exhaust, front ends (drum break, forks, chrome fenders), yet it had the new year candy orange color. Simply put it was the only way kawasaki could get rid of the dead stock parts it had laying around the factory collecting dust. The production was strictly to exhaust the supply, make them until the parts are gone.
1973 H1D 500cc Mach III
Frame Number Range: H1F-00001 to H1F-17000
Engine Number Range: KAE-54101 to KAE-87000
Candy Green, Candy Lime Green
Redesigned model featuring new styling like the longer seat, tank, and tail piece
Side covers have Mach Ill in small letters under new 500 emblems
New center console instrument cluster
Fenders are chrome
Reflectors in fork ears and on the top of shocks
larger 11.5" front disc brake
CDI box same as on the H2 which didn't interfere with TV reception
The exhausts were changed making the bike quieter and improved fuel efficiency
Frame has different engine mounts
Swing arm was lengthened by a half inch
Sight glass added to oil tank
The friction steering damper on the headstock was removed
Forks changed a degree to help steady the steering
New oil pump received a updated gasket from engine number 83625 to prevent locking plate bolts loosening
There were reports of blocked vent pipes causing engine seizure due to oil pump starvation so a dealer service bulletin was issued instructing to carefully feed the oil tank vent pipe down the left side of to avoid pinching it.
A shim kit was added to the gear change from engine number 59017
Changes were made to the carbs for emissions improvement resulting in the loss of 1hp (59hp)
The updated H1D was designed to make the 500 meet emissions targets, fuel economy had improved from 18-20mpg to 23-25mpg but lost about half a second off its quarter mile time.
Frame Number Range: H1F-00001 to H1F-17000
Engine Number Range: KAE-54101 to KAE-87000
Candy Green, Candy Lime Green
Redesigned model featuring new styling like the longer seat, tank, and tail piece
Side covers have Mach Ill in small letters under new 500 emblems
New center console instrument cluster
Fenders are chrome
Reflectors in fork ears and on the top of shocks
larger 11.5" front disc brake
CDI box same as on the H2 which didn't interfere with TV reception
The exhausts were changed making the bike quieter and improved fuel efficiency
Frame has different engine mounts
Swing arm was lengthened by a half inch
Sight glass added to oil tank
The friction steering damper on the headstock was removed
Forks changed a degree to help steady the steering
New oil pump received a updated gasket from engine number 83625 to prevent locking plate bolts loosening
There were reports of blocked vent pipes causing engine seizure due to oil pump starvation so a dealer service bulletin was issued instructing to carefully feed the oil tank vent pipe down the left side of to avoid pinching it.
A shim kit was added to the gear change from engine number 59017
Changes were made to the carbs for emissions improvement resulting in the loss of 1hp (59hp)
The updated H1D was designed to make the 500 meet emissions targets, fuel economy had improved from 18-20mpg to 23-25mpg but lost about half a second off its quarter mile time.
1974 H1E 500cc Mach III
Frame Number Range: H1F-17001 to H1F-32399
Engine Number Range: KAE-87001 to KAE-102399
Candy Red, Candy Green
The frame was lengthened by 1" stretching the wheelbase out to 56.5 inches
The engine was given rubber mounts to reduce vibration at higher rpms
New smaller CDI unit extended plug life and improved low rpm response
Check valves in the bottom end of the engine
Brake wear indicator on the rear drum
Gearbox improvements were made
Kawasaki added a ground wire midway through the production run to reduce misfiring
H1E had problems with gear engagement. They dealt with this by widening shift fork from 21.0mm to 24.5mm
Thanks to government anti pollution regulations in the US and Europe Kawasaki knew two-stroke engines were about to become basically a thing of the past in its largest selling markets. The EPA was hard at work drafting laws that would effectively render them illegal. Manufacturers were given emissions and noise targets in advance of legislation taking effect.
All the major motorcycle magazines that tested H1E's reported on average 23mpg and 1/4 mile times in the mid 13's to 14 seconds. Despite Kawasaki's advertisement claims of 12.4 seconds.
Frame Number Range: H1F-17001 to H1F-32399
Engine Number Range: KAE-87001 to KAE-102399
Candy Red, Candy Green
The frame was lengthened by 1" stretching the wheelbase out to 56.5 inches
The engine was given rubber mounts to reduce vibration at higher rpms
New smaller CDI unit extended plug life and improved low rpm response
Check valves in the bottom end of the engine
Brake wear indicator on the rear drum
Gearbox improvements were made
Kawasaki added a ground wire midway through the production run to reduce misfiring
H1E had problems with gear engagement. They dealt with this by widening shift fork from 21.0mm to 24.5mm
Thanks to government anti pollution regulations in the US and Europe Kawasaki knew two-stroke engines were about to become basically a thing of the past in its largest selling markets. The EPA was hard at work drafting laws that would effectively render them illegal. Manufacturers were given emissions and noise targets in advance of legislation taking effect.
All the major motorcycle magazines that tested H1E's reported on average 23mpg and 1/4 mile times in the mid 13's to 14 seconds. Despite Kawasaki's advertisement claims of 12.4 seconds.
1975 H1F 500cc Mach III
Frame Number Range: H1F-32400 to H1F-46999
Engine Number Range: KAE-102400 to KAE-116999
Candy Brown, Candy Sky Blue
No 'Mach III' lettering on side panels and 500 emblems are white
Re-designed gas tank decal comes to a curved point in a shape resembling a machete blade
Decal on the tail section mirroring a continuation of the tank decal
Restrictor placed on top of its airbox
There were also small changes to the footrests controls and instruments
Kawasaki had no choice but to detune the model for 1975, California was choking on smog and the EPA had mandated the toughest emission regulations compared to previous years. Kawasaki's best selling model in 1975 was the KZ400 twin with its low selling MSRP and impressive 50mpg
Frame Number Range: H1F-32400 to H1F-46999
Engine Number Range: KAE-102400 to KAE-116999
Candy Brown, Candy Sky Blue
No 'Mach III' lettering on side panels and 500 emblems are white
Re-designed gas tank decal comes to a curved point in a shape resembling a machete blade
Decal on the tail section mirroring a continuation of the tank decal
Restrictor placed on top of its airbox
There were also small changes to the footrests controls and instruments
Kawasaki had no choice but to detune the model for 1975, California was choking on smog and the EPA had mandated the toughest emission regulations compared to previous years. Kawasaki's best selling model in 1975 was the KZ400 twin with its low selling MSRP and impressive 50mpg
1976 KH500-A8 500cc
Frame Number Range: H1F-47000
Engine Number Range: KAE-117100
Model designations changed for 1976 (KZ, Z, KH, KE) KH (Kawasaki Highway)
Colors: Copper or Burgundy
New one-down and four-up gearshift pattern 1 N 2 3 4 5
New three-way fuse electrical system, adding a kill switch
Updated 7" headlight and breaking system same as the kz900
Changes to the airbox, carbs and exhaust pipes to pass emission restrictions
New front wheel using the same disc as the KZ900 and fork leg had the option for a second disc brake
Rounded sloping seat was slightly lower
Locking Gas Cap (mandatory requirement for US standards)
Three stripe graphics on tank and tail piece
Changed foot pegs, handle bar grips, large oval rear tail light, one mirror
rubber-mounted engine and improved suspension
The main jets dropped from 92.5 to 75 reducing performance down to 52hp
Since the H2 was discontinued it made the KH500 the flagship of the two-stroke triples for 1976.
The KH500 became a more laidback machine, comfort was more important than performance.
In 1977 the 500 was dropped and only the KH250 & KH400 bikes remained in production.
Kawasaki issued a service bulletin to US dealers as soon as the KH500 was launched in December 1975. There was potential problem with finding neutral in a the revised gearbox. The bulletin reads: "The 1976 KH500 has a neutral positioning bolt on the upper crankcase. On some early KH500s, the positioning bolt boss was machined too short." The solution was to install an extra gasket and washer under the positioning bolt.
Frame Number Range: H1F-47000
Engine Number Range: KAE-117100
Model designations changed for 1976 (KZ, Z, KH, KE) KH (Kawasaki Highway)
Colors: Copper or Burgundy
New one-down and four-up gearshift pattern 1 N 2 3 4 5
New three-way fuse electrical system, adding a kill switch
Updated 7" headlight and breaking system same as the kz900
Changes to the airbox, carbs and exhaust pipes to pass emission restrictions
New front wheel using the same disc as the KZ900 and fork leg had the option for a second disc brake
Rounded sloping seat was slightly lower
Locking Gas Cap (mandatory requirement for US standards)
Three stripe graphics on tank and tail piece
Changed foot pegs, handle bar grips, large oval rear tail light, one mirror
rubber-mounted engine and improved suspension
The main jets dropped from 92.5 to 75 reducing performance down to 52hp
Since the H2 was discontinued it made the KH500 the flagship of the two-stroke triples for 1976.
The KH500 became a more laidback machine, comfort was more important than performance.
In 1977 the 500 was dropped and only the KH250 & KH400 bikes remained in production.
Kawasaki issued a service bulletin to US dealers as soon as the KH500 was launched in December 1975. There was potential problem with finding neutral in a the revised gearbox. The bulletin reads: "The 1976 KH500 has a neutral positioning bolt on the upper crankcase. On some early KH500s, the positioning bolt boss was machined too short." The solution was to install an extra gasket and washer under the positioning bolt.